On October 1, the opening ceremony of the China Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai was held. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was present at the event. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, H.E. Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, H.E. Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism, H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, H.E. Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO of Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI), H.E. Dr. Eesa Mohammed Bastaki, President of the University of Dubai, H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Senior Officer of Hala China Executive Committee, H.E. Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions, H.E. Mr. Ni Jian, Chinese Ambassador to the UAE, H.E. Mr. Zhang Shenfeng, Vice Chairman of CCPIT, H.E. Mr. Li Xuhang, Chinese Consul General in Dubai, and friends from China and the UAE, including representatives from Chinese institutions, overseas Chinese, and Chinese and foreign press, among more than 100 guests also attended the ceremony and took a tour of the China Pavilion afterwards.

The guests present watched a video speech by President Xi Jinping. In the speech, President Xi wished Expo 2020 Dubai and the China Pavilion a complete success. He pointed out that as the first World Expo held in the Middle East, Expo 2020 Dubai, under the theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, is of great significance and provides a good opportunity for countries to share their philosophies and success of economic and social development and enhance dialog and cooperation. He called on the people of all countries to work together, respond to the call of the times, strengthen global governance, pursue innovation-driven development, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. He emphasized that China is ready to enhance exchange and cooperation with other countries to seize the opportunities for innovation-driven development and actively promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

In their speeches, Ambassador Ni Jian, Vice Chairman Zhang Shenfeng, and Secretary General Kerkentzes highly praised the friendship between China and the UAE and the two countries’ success of development, fully recognized the importance of hosting Expo 2020 Dubai, and wished the Expo and the China Pavilion a complete success. Chinese and foreign guests together cut the ribbon for the opening of the China Pavilion.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum thanked President Xi Jinping for his gracious speech, expressed his warm congratulations on the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and wished China a complete success at Expo 2020 Dubai. Accompanied by Ambassador Ni Jian, Vice Chairman Zhang Shenfeng and Consul General Li Xuhang, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum made a tour of the China Pavilion. During the tour, Consul General Li Xuhang gave a presentation on the China Pavilion to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who listened attentively and nodded his head. Fascinated by China’s achievements in information technology, modern transportation, artificial intelligence, smart living and space exploration, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stopped to have a closer look from time to time.

Under the theme of “Build a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind — Innovation & Opportunity”, the China Pavilion showcases the great vision and unremitting efforts of China and other countries in building a community with a shared future for mankind. The number of Chinese local governments and enterprises participating in the Expo 2020 Dubai is more than that of any other World Expos held outside China. During the next six months, the China Pavilion will offer a series of exciting activities to Chinese and foreign guests.